Battery charging capacitors electromagnetic launcher

Abstract

A rapid fire electromagnetic launcher system (EML) employs a plurality of capacitor modules which are charged by an equal number of modules of lead acid batteries. The invention comprises the combination of standard automotive lead acid batteries for charging an electrolytic capacitor array which is switched into an Electromagnetic Launcher (EML) by means of silicon controlled rectifiers, and a control circuit for controlling the loading and launching of projectiles at a very rapid rate. The system includes a multishot preinjector and rapid fire controller for operating the system in a safe and reliable manner. The system includes a preaccelerator, magazine and barrel. The combination eliminates the low power density limitation of the batteries, the requirement to repetitively commutate energy out of an inductor, and allows for a modular system than can be expanded to provide higher energy to each projectile in the burst.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for the rapid firing of projectiles from an electromagnetic launcher, said launcher having a barrel and an armature in said barrel, said armature being rapidly translatable, when energized, on a plurality of rails for launching a projectile from said barrel, said system including a loader for serially loading a plurality of projectiles into said barrel, and means for preaccelerating said projectiles within said barrel, said system comprising: a plurality of modules of electrolytic capacitors;   a plurality of modules of lead-acid batteries;   first switches for connecting each of said modules of batteries to said respective one of said modules of capacitors;   means in said launcher for sensing the presence of a projectile in said barrel;   second switches for connecting said capacitors to said electromagnetic launcher for energizing said launcher; and   means responsive to the sensing of the presence of said projectile in said barrel for closing said second switches in response to said sensing of said projectile in said position within said launcher, whereby said capacitors are partially discharged and said launcher is energized.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1 wherein said projectiles are carried in a carrier; and wherein means are provided for ejecting a carrier from said barrel following the energizing of said launcher.   
     
     
       3. The system of claim 2, wherein said means for ejecting said carrier comprises a gas operated piston. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 3, wherein the next one of said projectiles is loaded into said barrel following the ejecting of said carrier.